XANDER FERREIRA IS A VISUAL ARTIST & CREATIVE DIRECTOR AT THE INTERSECTION OF PERFORMANCE- INSTALLATION-EXPERIENTIAL DESIGN- PHOTO & FILM.
Embodying the essence of a polymath, Ferreira masterfully traverses multiple mediums—visual, sound, and experiential—across his diverse careers in film and photography, entertainment, design, and the art world.
Renowned for crafting what he calls a ‘Grand Spectacle’ he fluidly navigates between art installation and the commercial sphere, serving as a creative director and storyteller through various forms of media production with valuable experience of language and tools within each realm to bring monumental ideas to life through collaboration.
BUILDING A WHEELHOUSE
ENGINEERING VISIONs
Art Installation and experiential design projects include a wide range of work, from collaborations with commercial clients like PepsiCo to deeply personal artistic creations.
One standout project was a commission by Faena Arts in Miami to develop an art installation and performance piece. This included a towering sculpture and a global theatrical production with original composition, show direction, lighting and wardrobe design.
DESIGNING WORLDS
As creative director for the musical act St. Lucia, a series of musical films, a capsule collection of clothing and accessories, and the experiential design for an upcoming tour were produced. Whether strategizing the vision of others or capturing its essence through various mediums, constructing integrated worlds that captivate audiences through storytelling is at the core of the approach.
CRAFTING THE VISUAL
Ferreira's career began as a photographer shortly after completing his visual communication studies in 2005. In 2009, he was honored by Hasselblad as one of their top seven newcomers worldwide.
Throughout his career he collaborated with major brands like Nike, Puma, Volkswagen, and Levi's, expanding his artistic repertoire into commercial filmmaking, where he worked as both a cinematographer and director.
BIRTH OF A STORY
Xander’s career took a transformative turn when he produced his first body of work in the visual art world in 2009. By exploring themes of iconography in politics, he developed a theory on the strategies and storytelling methods dictators use to gain power and documented a series of performances through photography and installation.
This study evolved into a decade-long performance art project centered around the strategically crafted musical pop persona, Gazelle. This endeavor led to a chart-topping song and performances in over twenty countries, garnering features in major media outlets worldwide such as Arte, ZDF and Le Monde.
He transitioned into the entertainment industry, expanding into large-scale experiential performances, scenography, choreography, and object design within the fashion world. His work has been showcased at prestigious concept stores such as Colette, Dover Street Market, and 10 Corso Como.
TELLING HUMAN STORIES
Xander recently produced and filmed a 24-part documentary series titled “With Purpose”, highlighting social and environmental changemakers. The series is currently in the distribution process.
As a storytelling lead, he spearheaded a branded coalition called the ‘Wellbeing Project,’ collaborating with major social change organizations such as The Skoll Foundation, Ashoka, Georgetown University, Impact Hub, Porticus, and Synergos. Through diverse media and experiences, he synthesized the theme of inner wellbeing into a compelling movement.